reveal

a magician never reveals his secrets

Said by someone who does not wish to divulge or explain something (not necessarily an actual magician). A: "What did you put in this sauce? It tastes even better than usual!" B: "Ah, a magician never reveals his secrets." Mommy, I tried to ask the magician how he did that trick, and all he would say is, "A magician never reveals his secrets."
See also: never, reveal, secret

reveal (one's) (true) colors

To reveal what one really believes, thinks, or wants; to act in accordance with one's real personality, character, or disposition. Primarily heard in US. Dave said all along that he only wanted this deal because it was in the company's best interest, but he revealed his true colors once he realized that he wouldn't get any special commission for his efforts. It's only in times of crisis that your friends will really reveal their colors.
See also: color, reveal

reveal (one's) (true) stripes

To reveal what one really believes, thinks, or wants; to act in accordance with one's real personality, character, or disposition. (A less common variant of "show one's (true) colors.") Dave said all along that he only wanted this deal because it was in the company's best interest, but he revealed his true stripes once he realized that he wouldn't get any special commission for his efforts. It's only in times of crisis that your friends will really reveal their stripes.
See also: reveal, stripe

reveal (one's) cards

To make one's plans, intentions, ideas, or resources known to others, especially those that were previously hidden or kept secret. (Also expressed as "reveal (one's) hand"; both phrases refer to displaying one's cards ("hand") during a card game.) In business negotiations, it's important that you don't reveal your cards right away, or you might risk losing out on the best deal possible. Pressure from the government is forcing the notoriously secretive CEO to reveal his cards regarding his company's tax profile and offshore accounts.
See also: card, reveal

reveal (one's) hand

To make one's plans, intentions, ideas, or resources known to others, especially those that were previously hidden or kept secret. (Also expressed as "reveal (one's) cards"; both phrases refer to displaying one's cards ("hand") during a card game.) In business negotiations, it's important that you don't reveal your hand right away, or you might risk losing out on the best deal possible. Pressure from the government is forcing the notoriously secretive CEO to reveal his hand regarding his company's tax profile and offshore accounts.
See also: hand, reveal

reveal to (someone or something)

1. To disclose, divulge, or make known something to someone or some group. A noun or pronoun is used between "reveal" and "to." I revealed my new strategy to the board of directors, but they weren't nearly as receptive to it as I'd hoped. A magician should never reveal her secrets to anyone.
2. To show or display some concealed person or thing to someone or some group; to expose someone or something to the view of another person or group. A noun or pronoun is used between "reveal" and "to." The film never reveals the killer to the you, instead allowing you to draw your own conclusions. He pulled back the curtain and revealed the new product to the excited audience. The masked vigilante promised to reveal himself to the public once the city's crime rate was under control.
See also: reveal

show (one's) hand

To make one's plans, intentions, ideas, or resources known to others, especially those that were previously hidden or kept secret. (Also expressed as "show (one's) cards"; both phrases refer to displaying one's cards ("hand") during a card game.) In business negotiations, it's important that you don't show your hand right away, or you might risk losing out on the best deal possible. Pressure from the government is forcing the notoriously secretive CEO to show his hand regarding his company's tax profile and offshore accounts.
See also: hand, show
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

reveal someone or something to someone

to show or disclose someone or something to someone. The magician opened the door of the cabinet and revealed his assistant to the audience. I revealed my secret to no one. She stepped out from behind the tree and revealed herself to the hostess.
See also: reveal
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

show/reveal your ˈhand

(British English) (American English tip your ˈhand) do something which reveals your intentions, plans, etc: The problem is that we can’t say anything to the management without showing our hand, and we wanted to be able to take them by surprise. In court a good lawyer never reveals his hand too soon. OPPOSITE: keep/hold/play your cards close to your chest
These expressions refer to showing your cards (= your hand) in card playing.
See also: hand, reveal, show
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • a magician never reveals his secrets
  • lift the veil (on something)
  • lay bare (something)
  • lay something bare
  • reveal to
  • reveal to (someone or something)
  • hunger is a good sauce
  • hunger is the best sauce
  • compound (something) with (something else)
  • compound with
References in periodicals archive
* In the third case, Jim Taricani, a reporter for WJAR-TV in Providence, Rhode Island, refused to reveal how he received a leaked videotape showing a Providence city official taking a bribe from an undercover FBI informant.
Reporters hamstrung under U.S. government practices on two fronts: subpoenas and access
The gameplay reveal is set in this specific day and ends with the S.H.I.E.L.D Helicarrier crashing down on San Francisco.
'Marvel's Avengers' SDCC 2019 Gameplay Reveal Leaked On Community Forums
We are pleased to partner with Reveal and support the acquisition of Mindseye, said Jon Gimbel, Partner at Gallant.
REVEAL DATA ACQUIRES MINDSEYE SOLUTIONS
He was holding and playing the rabab, wearing a chitrali cap along with a Peshawar Shawal and revealed the most awaited kit of the PSL 4.
Sammy reveals Zalmi kit
A twitter post by the leakster revealed the same processor model numbers and even revealed two more additional chips.
Next-gen AMD Ryzen mobile CPUs spotted on Geekbench
At your party you can then open the box in front of your guests and watch the balloons rise out to reveal the gender.
Quirky ways to share your baby gender with others
Reveal Dental is proud to be one of the fastest-growing general dentistry clinic in Cedar Park.
Dr. Alkesh Sura, DDS, of Reveal Dental in Cedar Park, Proudly Supports LISD Leadership Program
Reveal said that the new firm combines Q Data's implementation expertise and Expert IG's business networks and analytic capabilities with the supply chain optimisation capabilities of Reveal.
Supply Chain Firms Reveal, Expert IG and Q Data to Merge
If you want more you can download Reveal every Monday evening and get the week' ' juiciest gossip and pictures, gorgeous fashion and beauty, plus amazing real-life stories before the print magazine hits the newsstand.
READ REVEAL MAG FOR FREE; ANOTHER GREAT OFFER
Leading anatomist Dr Roy Glover, the chief medical director for Bodies Revealed said that people could see for themselves the terrible damage the damage that can be done to the lungs.
Exhibit reveals smoking harm
"I wanted to create a scent that helped empower women to reveal their passionate sides," says Berry.
Halle berry fragrance line grows
Tracy Reveal was headed for a law degree when her pursuit of a bachelor's in criminal justice sent her in another direction.
Trainer advances programs and services
On December 11, Reveal Imaging Technologies of Bedford, Massachusetts, announced that the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) had approved its network product ImageNet[TM], which allows the integration and remote networking of multiple CT-80 explosives detection systems (EDS) and workstations, which have been deployed at more than 70 US commercial airports.
Reveal's CT-80 networker approved
In its most intrusive form, an MMW scanner can reveal a rough nude image of its subjects.
The pinpoint search: how super-accurate surveillance technology threatens our privacy